Doncaster gang ‘threatened to castrate bar boss

Darren Squire

A gang of Doncaster men threatened a bar manager with castration in a row over payment for work, a court heard.

Leigh Moan said he feared for his safety after receiving terrifying calls from the gang, accused of terrorising his employers and other business people for cash.

Terence Cunningham senior, 48, of Sutton Road, Askern, and his pals toured the country claiming to be Celebrity Big Brother winner Paddy Doherty and making chilling threats to business owners, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Mr Moan told the court he was working as a relief manager at a pub in Whitley Bay, in November 2011, when he was contacted by a man demanding money for work carried out on the pub car park, which had not been cleared by brewery bosses.

The caller claimed to know lots of people in Newcastle – and said Mr Moan would be castrated if he did not pay £18,000.

Mr Moan said: “I was very worried about physical harm coming to myself. I have never been spoken to in such a manner of graphic intimate violence.”

Mr Moan said he became more concerned as he received further calls.

He added: “I actually changed my route driving into work to drive past a police station. When opening the pub on my own I felt very very vulnerable.”

Terence Cunningham junior, 26, and 34-year-old Triston Saltmarsh, both of Sutton Road, and 43-year-olds Darren Squire, of Manor Road and Jason Hazell, of Spa Terrace, all of Askern, all deny conspiracy to blackmail.

Michael Howley, 72, of Scunthorpe, denies money laundering.

Cunningham senior and William Adams, 46, also of Sutton Road, Askern, have admitted conspiracy to blackmail.